Multi-action switch for a gaming device

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine that includes a multi-action switch that is held in an initial position when the multi-action switch is not being pressed, and a position detection device for detecting whether the multi-action switch is in the initial position, a second position, or a third position. The gaming machine further includes a controller for controlling operations of the gaming machine in accordance with the position of the multi-action switch, such that the gaming machine carries out a first operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the second position, and a second operation when the position detecting device detects that the multi-action switch has reached the third position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein relate generally to gaming machinesand, more particularly, to systems and methods for enabling a player toexecute a plurality of inputs through a multi-action switch on a gamingmachine.

Commercial or “wager” based gaming continues to grow in popularity. Avariety of gaming machines have been developed over the years forpresenting games offering a chance for the player to win an award ofmonies or a representation of monetary value. These machines include oldmechanical slot machines, newer electromechanical slot machines, as wellas video gaming machines, such as video poker machines.

All gaming machines include one or more devices for accepting playerinput. For example, slot machines often include a “spin” button or an“arm.” Depressing the spin button or pulling the arm is associated witha single particular input, that of effecting rotation of the physical orsimulated reels of the slot machine. Video poker machines include “hold”buttons which each define a singular, unique input, that of designatinga card to be held in a draw poker game.

Class II gaming includes a game of chance commonly known as bingo.Currently, various implementations of Class II games exist. In oneimplementation of a bingo-based Class II game, a player must providemultiple inputs in order to initiate the game and participate in thegame. In particular, a player must first provide a “bet” input in orderto indicate a desire to participate in the multi-player game. Eachplayer of the game is assigned a bingo card and one or more balls aredrawn. In order for a player's card to be marked or “daubed” in theevent selected balls match numbers on the player's card, the player mustprovide a “daub” input.

Generally, play of the game continues until a player receives agame-ending winning pattern. Normally, the number of balls which areinitially drawn total less than the number which are necessary toreceive the game-ending pattern. Thus, after the initial one or moreballs are drawn, additional balls are drawn until one or more players ofthe game receive the game-ending “bingo” pattern outcome. In thisconfiguration, each time additional balls are drawn, the player mustagain provide a “daub” input in order to mark matching drawn ballnumbers with their card numbers. In some instances, a player must alsoprovide a “claim” input in order to claim winnings when a winningpattern is received. These inputs, bet, daub, and claim are provided byindividual instances of a player depressing one or more buttons on thegaming machine.

As with all games, it is desirable to make Class II bingo games moreexciting. For example, Class II game results are now often representedby secondary, exciting events. The outcome of a bingo game may berepresented as a winning or losing spin of simulated slot reels. In thisconfiguration, the player gets to experience the bingo game as aslot-type event, including the excitement of having the reels spin andawaiting the results of the spin in order to learn of the outcome of thegame. Unfortunately, the button presses required of the player in orderto play the bingo portion of the game detracts from the game playexperience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine includesa multi-action switch that is held in an initial position when themulti-action switch is not being pressed, a position detection devicefor detecting whether the multi-action switch is in the initialposition, a second position, or a third position, and a controller forcontrolling operations of the gaming machine in accordance with theposition of the multi-action switch, such that the gaming machinecarries out a first operation when the position detecting device detectsthat the multi-action switch has reached the second position, and asecond operation when the position detecting device detects that themulti-action switch has reached the third position.

In another aspect, a method for enabling a player to execute a pluralityof inputs through a multi-action switch on a gaming machine, themulti-action switch including a body movable along a fixed path, andwherein the body of the multi-action switch is held in an initialposition when force is not applied to the body of the multi-actionswitch. The method includes providing a bingo-based game, determiningthat the body of the multi-action switch has reached a particularposition along the fixed path, and executing one or more inputs for thebingo-based game in response to the determination that the body of themulti-action switch has reached the particular position.

In yet another aspect, a multi-action switch that enables a player toexecute a plurality of different inputs in a game of chance is provided.The multi-action switch includes a button comprising a top surface, thebutton configured to be movable down a fixed path by applying force tothe top surface of the button, a plurality of defined positions alongthe fixed path, and a position detecting device for detecting when thebutton has reached one or more of the plurality of defined positionsalong the fixed path, each of the plurality of positions beingassociated with a respective input, and based on the detecting, enablingone or more inputs to be executed in the game of chance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming machine;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary electricalarchitecture that may be used with the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming system thatincludes a plurality of gaming machines shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative examples of a multi-action switch forenabling a player to execute a plurality of inputs on the gaming machineshown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary method for enablinga player to execute a plurality of inputs through a multi-action switchon the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for use in enabling aplayer to execute a plurality of inputs through a multi-action switch ona gaming machine are described herein. In particular, the embodimentsdescribed herein provide player input to a gaming machine configured topresent a Class II game and, more particularly, a bingo-based game. Inone embodiment, the game is configured to require a player to providemultiple inputs in order for the player to play the game. For example,in a bingo-based game, the player may provide at least one input toinitiate the game (e.g., place a “bet”), at least one input to “daub”and “claim”, and optionally, at least one additional input to make a“claim” separately from making a “daub”. Thus, while multiple inputscould be provided by the player pushing a single button multiple timesor several different buttons once, embodiments of the present disclosureenable a player to provide multiple inputs with only one press of abutton (e.g., a multi-action switch). However, it will be appreciatedthat the systems and methods described herein have applicability togames where a greater or lesser number of player inputs are required.

Exemplary technical effects of systems and methods described hereininclude at least one of: (a) providing a bingo-based game; (b)determining that a multi-action switch has reached a particular positionalong a fixed path; and (c) executing one or more inputs for thebingo-based game in response to the determination that the multi-actionswitch has reached the particular position.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming machine 100 thatfacilitates enabling a player to execute a plurality of inputs in a gameof chance through a multi-action switch. Gaming machine 100 may be anytype of gaming machine, and may include, without limitation, differentstructures than those shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, gaming machine 100 mayemploy different methods of operation than those described below.

In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes a cabinet 102configured to house a plurality of components, such as a gaming machinecontroller, peripheral devices, presentation devices, and playerinteraction devices. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, gamingmachine 100 includes a plurality of input devices, such as switchesand/or buttons 104 that are coupled to a front 106 of cabinet 102.Buttons 104 may be used to start play of a primary or secondary game.One button 104 may be a “Bet One” button that enables the player toplace a bet or to increase a bet. Another button 104 may be a “Bet Max”button that enables the player to bet a maximum permitted wager. Yetanother button 104 may be a “Cash Out” button that enables the player toreceive a cash payment or other suitable form of payment, such as aticket or voucher, which corresponds to a number of remaining credits.

In addition to buttons 104, or in replace of at least some of buttons104, gaming machine 100 further includes multi-action switch 116.Multi-action switch 116 enables a player to generate or provide multipleinputs as a result of pressing, only once, multi-action switch 116 downone or more defined distances. For example, as described in furtherdetail below, with respect to a bingo-based game, the inputs of “bet”,“daub”, and “claim” may each be achieved by a pressing multi-actionswitch 116 down one or more a defined distances.

In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 also includes a coinacceptor 108 for accepting coins and/or tokens, and a bill acceptor 110for accepting and/or validating cash bills, coupons, and/or ticketvouchers 112. Bill acceptor 110 may also be capable of printing tickets112. Furthermore, in some embodiments, bill acceptor 110 includes a cardreader or validator for use with credit cards, debit cards,identification cards, and/or smart cards. The cards accepted by billacceptor 110 may include a magnetic strip and/or a preprogrammedmicrochip that includes a player's identification, credit totals, andany other relevant information that may be used. Moreover, in theexemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes one or morepresentation devices 114. Presentation devices 114 are mounted tocabinet 102, and may include a primary presentation device fordisplaying a primary game and a secondary presentation device fordisplaying a secondary or bonus game. Presentation devices 114 mayinclude, without limitation, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display(LCD), a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic lightemitting diodes (OLEDs), polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs), and/orsurface-conduction electron emitters (SEDs), a speaker, an alarm, and/orany other device capable of presenting information to a user.

In an exemplary embodiment, presentation device 114 is used to displayone or more game images, symbols, and/or indicia such as a visualrepresentation or exhibition of movement of an object (e.g., amechanical, virtual, or video reel), dynamic lighting, video images, andthe like. In an alternative embodiment, presentation device 114 displaysimages and indicia using mechanical means. For example, presentationdevice 114 may include an electromechanical device, such as one or morerotatable reels, to display a plurality of game or other suitableimages, symbols, or indicia.

As described below, in one embodiment, gaming machine 100 is configuredto present a Class II game, and more particularly, a bingo game havingone or more results displayed as one or more secondary events, such as aClass III game-type event. In one embodiment, the bingo game informationis displayed on at least one of presentation devices 114, as is theClass III-type result event.

In one embodiment, gaming machine 100 randomly generates game outcomesusing probability data. For example, each game outcome is associatedwith one or more probability values that are used by gaming machine 100to determine the game output to be displayed. Such a random calculationmay be provided by a random number generator, such as a true randomnumber generator (RNG), a pseudo-random number generator (PNG), or anyother suitable randomization process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary electricalarchitecture 200 that may be used with gaming machine 100. In theexemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes a gaming machinecontroller 202 having a processor 204 communicatively coupled to amemory area 206, multi-action switch 116, and a position detectingdevice 222. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 204 andmemory area 206 reside within cabinet 102 (shown in FIG. 1) and may becollectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.” Gamingmachine 100 is configurable and/or programmable to perform one or moreoperations described herein by programming processor 204. For example,processor 204 may be programmed by encoding an operation as one or moreexecutable instructions and providing the executable instructions inmemory area 206.

Controller 202 communicates with one or more other gaming machines 100or other suitable devices via a communication interface 208.Communication interface 208 may operate as an input device (e.g., byreceiving data from another device) and/or as an output device (e.g., bytransmitting data to another device). Processor 204 may be amicroprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable integratedcircuit, and/or one or more application-specific integrated circuits(ASICs). However, the above examples are exemplary only, and thus arenot intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of theterm “processor.”

Memory area 206 stores program code and instructions, executable byprocessor 204, for controlling gaming machine 100. For example, memoryarea 206 stores data such as image data, event data, player input data,random or pseudo-random number generation software, pay table data,trigger event conditions, game play events, game play outcomes, and/orother information or applicable game rules that relate to game play ongaming machine 100. Moreover, memory area 206 may include one or moreforms of memory. For example, memory area 206 can include random accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and/or electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In some embodiments,other suitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor-based memory maybe included in memory area 206 by itself or in combination. In oneembodiment, the above data and program code and instructions, executableby processor 204 for enabling a player to execute a plurality of inputsusing multi-action switch 116 (e.g., such as non-contact switch shown inFIG. 4) may be stored and executed from a memory area remote fromcomputing device gaming machine 100. For example, the data and thecomputer-executable instructions may be stored in a cloud service, adatabase, or other memory area accessible by gaming machine 100. Suchembodiments reduce the computational and storage burden on gamingmachine 100. As such, memory area 206 may be a local and/or a remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes a creditdisplay 210, which displays a player's current number of credits, cash,account balance or the equivalent. Gaming machine 100 also includes abet display 212, which displays a player's amount wagered. Creditdisplay 210 and bet display 212 may be standalone displays independentof presentation device 114, or credit display 210 and bet display 212may be incorporated into presentation device 114.

Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment, presentation device 114 iscontrolled by controller 202. In some embodiments, presentation device114 includes a touch screen 214 and an associated touch screencontroller 216. In such embodiments, presentation device 114 may operateas an input device in addition to presenting information. A videocontroller 218 is communicatively coupled to controller 202 and touchscreen controller 216 to enable a player to input game play decisions(e.g., actions) into gaming machine 100 via touch screen 214.Furthermore, gaming machine 100 includes one or more communication ports220 that enable controller 202 to communicate with external peripheraldevices (not shown) such as, but not limited to, external video sources,expansion buses, other displays, a SCSI port, or a key pad.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming system 300that includes a plurality of gaming machines 100. Each gaming machine100 is coupled via communication interface 208 (shown in FIG. 2) to oneor more servers, such as a gaming server 302, using a network 304.Gaming server 302 includes a processor (not shown) that facilitates datacommunication between each gaming machine 100 and other components ofgaming system 300. Such data is stored in, for example, a memory area306, such as a database, that is coupled to gaming server 302.

In one embodiment, one or more gaming machines 100 may be remote gamingmachines that access a casino over network 304. As such, a player isable to participate in a game of chance on a remote gaming machine. Inthis embodiment, it will be understood that a player operating a remotegaming machine has virtual access to any casino coupled to network 304and associated with gaming server 302. Further, while gaming machines100 are described herein as video bingo machines, video poker machines,video slot machines, and/or other similar gaming machines that implementalternative games, gaming machines 100 may also be a personal computerscoupled to the Internet or to a virtual private network such that aplayer may participate in a game of chance, remotely. In otherembodiments, the player may use a cell phone or other web enableddevices coupled to a communication network to establish a connectionwith a particular casino. Moreover, gaming machines 100 may beterminal-based machines, wherein the actual games, including randomnumber generation and/or outcome determination, are performed at gamingserver 302. In such an embodiment, gaming machines 100 display resultsof a game via presentation device 114 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2).

In one embodiment, gaming server 302 performs a plurality of functionsincluding, for example, game outcome generation, executing a game playevent for a player, player tracking functions, and/or accountingfunctions, to name a few. However, in alternative embodiments, gamingsystem 300 may include a plurality of servers that separately performthese functions and/or any suitable function for use in a network-basedgaming system.

With reference now to FIG. 4, exemplary embodiments of a non-contactmulti-action switch 116 will now be described. In one embodiment,multi-action switch 116, which can be mounted on gaming machine 100described above, may be represented as a button (e.g., button 116 inFIG. 1). However, as shown in FIG. 4, button 402 is just one of aplurality of components that make up multi-action switch 116. As shownin FIG. 4, multi-action switch 116 includes a shaft 404 that protrudesfrom a bottom of button 402 and a coiled spring 406 maybe fitted onshaft 404. Shaft 404 protrudes downward through an aperture 408 openedthrough a member 410. In one embodiment, coiled spring 406 is held frombelow by holding member 410 and biases button 402 upward. Thus, coiledspring 406 holds button 402 in an initial position while button 402 isnot being pressed.

Multi-action switch 116 further includes a position detecting device 222(e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). In one embodiment, position detecting device222 includes a first sensor 412, a second sensor 414, and optionally athird sensor 416. First sensor 412 is associated with a first buttonpress position 418, second sensor 414 is associated with a second buttonpress position 420, and third sensor 416 is associated with a thirdbutton press position 422. In one embodiment, sensors 412, 414, and 416are optical sensors. However, one of ordinary skill in the art guided bythe teachings herein will appreciate that embodiments of the presentdisclosure are not limited to optical sensors. Each of first sensor 412,second sensor 414, and third sensor 416 is configured to provide anoutput or signal in response to shaft 404, or a bottom 424 of button402, passing (or reaching) any one of first button press position 418,second button press position 420, and third button press position 422.In one embodiment, the outputs/signals are provided to gaming machine100 as player inputs, such as inputs to controller 202 of gaming machine100. These inputs are treated as a request by the player to perform aparticular game play event (e.g., bet, daub, and/or claim). In addition,each signal provided to controller 202 by either position detectingdevice 222, or each of first sensor 412, second sensor 414, and thirdsensor 416 is unique, in that it can be distinguished from an output ofthe other sensors and/or it defines a unique event.

In one embodiment, by placing force on button 402, a player may pressbutton 402 from an initial position to first button press position 418,second button press position 420, and third button press position 422.Movement of button 402, and more specifically, shaft 404 that protrudesfrom a bottom of button 402, from an initial position to, or past, firstbutton press position 418 triggers (e.g., is detected by) first sensor412, providing a first input. Movement of shaft 404 to, or past, secondbutton press position 420 triggers (e.g., is detected by) second sensor414, providing a second input or a second and a third input. And, in anembodiment where a third sensor is present, movement of shaft 404 to, orpast, third button press position 422 triggers (e.g., is detected by)third sensor 416, providing the third input separately from the secondinput.

As such, while the player experiences only a single event, that of“pressing” button 402 down once, the movement of button 402 results inthe activation or generation of multiple input events. In this manner, asingle action by the player can be used to provide multiple playerinputs to gaming machine 100. Thus, instead of pressing a button severaltimes for each input or several different buttons once for each input,“bet”, “daub”, and “claim” may be input by the player by simply pressingbutton 402 once, for example, past second button press position 420, orin the alternative, past third button press position 422.

It will be appreciated that as button 402 is pressed and shaft 404 movesfrom an initial position to either second button press position 420 orthird button press position 422, button 404 moves through an infinitenumber of intermediate positions. Thus, exact locations of one or moreintermediate positions may vary, as may their total number, and thenumber of associated sensors and, thus, inputs. Further, as button 402returns from a pressed position (e.g., from second button press position420 or third button press position 422), as shaft 404 passes secondbutton press position 420, second sensor 414 is triggered again,providing an additional second input (e.g., “daub”). Thus, a “daub”input may be executed when shaft 404 passes second button press position420 when button 402 is pressed, and again when shaft 404 passes secondbutton press position 420 when button 402 is released and returns to theinitial position.

In one embodiment, feedback is provided to the player as the playerpresses button 402 past each defined position that provides an input.For example, when button 402 is pressed and shaft 404 passes firstbutton press position 418, the player may receive optical feedback(e.g., color LED), audio feedback (e.g., clicking sounds), and/ortactile feedback (e.g., force resistance, vibration) to let the playerknow that an input has been executed.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an additional embodiment of multi-actionswitch 116 is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, instead of using sensors,position detecting device 222 includes a first contact strip 502, asecond contact strip 504, and optionally a third contact strip 506. Inthis embodiment, pressing button 402 initially presses shaft 404 intofirst contact strip 502. In response to shaft 404 contacting contactstrip 502, position detecting device 222 provides a signal to, forexample, controller 202 indicative of a first input being executed by aplayer. A further press of button 402 causes first contact strip 502 tocome into contact with second contact strip 504. Thus, in response toshaft 404 contacting contract strip 504, position detecting device 222provides a signal indicative of a second input being executed by theplayer. Alternatively, in response to shaft 404 contacting contractstrip 504, position detecting device 222 provides a signal indicative ofthe second input and a third input being executed by the player.However, in an embodiment where multi-action switch 116 includes thirdcontact strip 506, if a further press of button 402 causes secondcontact strip 504 to contact third contact strip 506, position detectingdevice 222 provides a signal indicative of the third input (separatefrom the second input) being executed by the player.

In addition to, or in replace of multi-action switch 116 as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, in one embodiment, another form of multi-action switch116 can be provided. For example, multi-action switch 116 may be acapacitive touch screen display with a touch-sensitive surface that isintegrated into gaming machine 100. In that event, movement of aplayer's finger across the surface may affect the generation of multipleinputs. For example, a “bet” icon, a “daub” icon, and a “claim” icon maybe provided on the surface. In one embodiment, the “daub” and “claim”icon may be combined into a “daub/claim” icon. Thus, a player can swipehis finger from the bet icon to the daub and/or claim icon withoutremoving his finger from the surface. In this way, the player hasprovided three different inputs (e.g., bet, daub, claim) in oncecontinuous swipe (e.g., without lifting his finger from the surface). Inanother embodiment, multiple icons of “bet”, “daub”, and “claim” may beprovided in an arrangement that make it easier for the player to “touch”without the player removing his finger from the surface. For example,the icons can be arranged in a triangle with “bet”, “daub”, and “claim”being at each corner, or they can be arranged in a circle, in the orderof “bet”, “daub”, “claim”, “bet”, “daub”, and “claim.” As such, a playercan merely trace the circle of icons with his finger continuouslyenabling an input to be executed each time his finger comes into contactwith an icon. This enables the player to make inputs very rapidlywithout removing his finger from the surface.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a flowchart that illustrates an exemplarymethod 600 for enabling a player to execute a plurality of inputsthrough multi-action switch 116 on a gaming machine 100 is provided. At602, a bingo based game is provided to a player via, for example, one ofpresentation devices 114. A “bingo” game requires at least two playersto play the game. As such, when a player provides the “enter game” input(e.g., a request to place a wager), it is determined if there is atleast one other player who also wishes to play the bingo game. Once theminimum number of players who desire to play the game is achieved, eachparticipating player is provided with a set of player symbols, such asnumbers associated with a game card (e.g., a bingo card) having spacesbearing symbols such as numbers.

After each player is assigned one or more game numbers, such asassociated with game cards, game numbers (or other symbols, when thecards bear other symbols) are drawn. In one embodiment, the game numbersare randomly selected, such as by a random number generator (RNG).

As is known, the object of the game is for a player to match gamenumbers to the numbers on their card(s) to achieve a pattern or numberof matches. The numbers may be drawn or generated one at a time, or ingroups or sets containing one or more numbers. One or more patterns ofmatching numbers or symbols are designated game winning combinations.For example, a game winning pattern may be “four corners,” “cover-all,”“a diagonal” or others.

As game numbers are drawn, the object is to match the game numbers tonumbers on the game cards. In one embodiment, the game numbers aredisplayed to the players. For example, the game numbers may betransmitted from the server to the gaming machines and displayed on thedisplays thereof.

As is known, the game numbers may be selected in a variety of otherfashions. In a traditional manner, the numbers may be printed on balls,and the balls may be randomly drawn. As indicated above, in anelectronic game environment, the numbers may be selected with a randomnumber generator.

In one embodiment, a player is required to “daub” matching numbers. Thestep of daubing results in a confirmation of a match and may include thedisplay of the match on the player's game card. However, a player mustprovide an input in order for the “daubing” step to be performed, andthus for matching numbers to be indicated so that a player has anopportunity to win the game.

In one embodiment of the game, additional inputs are required in orderfor the player to complete the game, receive any potential winningoutcomes, and be entitled to collect any winnings. For example, in oneimplementation of Class II bingo-based games as described above, gameplay continues until a game ending pattern is achieved by a player.Players may be awarded, however, for other patterns which are designatedas winning patterns but which are not game-ending. In such aconfiguration, the number of balls which are initially drawn (or gamenumbers which are selected) are fewer in number than the number of ballswhich are required to achieve the game-ending pattern. This ensures thatwhile one or more players may achieve winning patterns after the firstball draw, the game will continue to at least an additional ball draw.

In accordance with this embodiment, the player is required to provide aninput to daub game numbers associated with second or subsequentadditional ball draws as against matching numbers on the player's card.In addition, a player may also be required to provide a “claim” input inorder to claim any winnings associated with winning patterns.

As explained above, multi-action switch 116 enables a player to selectone or more inputs, such as a “bet”, “daub”, and “claim”. For example,at 604, and with reference to FIG. 4, a determination can be made as towhich of first button press position 418, second button press position420, and optionally, third button press position 422 button 402 hasreached when button 402 is pressed by a player. At 606, one or moreinputs for the bingo-based game is executed in response to thedetermination that button 402 has reached one of first button pressposition 418, second button press position 420, and third button pressposition 422. For example, when button 402 reaches second button pressposition 420, an input signal is generated (e.g., by position detectiondevice 222 or second sensor 414) and provided to controller 202, whichindicates that the player wishes to have matching numbers “daubed” and areward “claimed” if applicable. Further, if third button press position422 is provided, when button 402 reaches third button press position422, an input signal is generated (e.g., by position detection device222 or second sensor 414) and provided to controller 202, whichindicates that the player wishes to have the reward “claimed” as aseparate input from the “daub” input. However, as explained above,instead of pressing button 402 several times for each input, inputs suchas, “daub” and “claim”, each of these inputs may be executed by theplayer by simply pressing button 402 once, for example, past secondbutton press position 420, or third button press position 422. Forexample, to enable button 402 to be pressed past second button pressposition 420, button 402 also has to pass second button press position418. As such, the player presses button 402 past each position, theinputs associated with the positions are executed. Therefore, pressingbutton 402 from an initial position, past first button press position418, second button press position 420, and optionally, third buttonpress position 422 enables each input (e.g., bet, daub, and claim)associated with those positions to be executed.

It will be appreciated that the game need not have all of the steps andassociated inputs just described, and the game may require additionalinputs. For example, the game may require the player to provide a “daub”input for each successive ball or game number draw, and there may bemore than two such draws.

In one embodiment, the user may be permitted to make or provide aplurality of inputs, which inputs are “stored.” For example, at thebeginning of a game which requires a minimum number of inputs in orderfor the player to complete the game, the player may be permitted toprovide those inputs even before certain events for which inputs arerequired have occurred. In the above-referenced example of a Class IIbingo-type game, a player may be permitted to press button 402 pastfirst button press position 418, to enter a “bet” and thereby enter agame. However, if the player continues to press button 402 past secondbutton press position 420 and provide the “daub” and “claim” inputs, theplayer's input of the “daub” and “claim” inputs may actually occurbefore bingo balls or game numbers are drawn or shown to be drawn. Inthis situation, the player's inputs may be stored (e.g., in a queue) orotherwise be received and then associate with those actions as theyoccur later in the game.

One of ordinary skill in the art, guided by the teaching herein willappreciate that one or more operations in method 600 may be performedrepeatedly. For example, game play events may be received repeatedly,and at least a portion of the steps described above may be performedbased on each game play event.

Further, the systems and methods described herein are not limited to thespecific embodiments described herein but, rather, operations of themethods and/or components of the system and/or apparatus may be utilizedindependently and separately from other operations and/or componentsdescribed herein. Further, the described operations and/or componentsmay also be defined in, or used in combination with, other systems,methods, and/or apparatus, and are not limited to practice with only thesystems, methods, and storage media as described herein.

A computer, controller, or server, such as those described herein,includes at least one processor or processing unit and a system memory.The computer, controller, or server typically has at least some form ofcomputer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computerreadable media include computer storage media and communication media.Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embodycomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Thoseskilled in the art are familiar with the modulated data signal, whichhas one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manneras to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the aboveare also included within the scope of computer readable media.

Although the present disclosure is described in connection with anexemplary gaming system environment, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose gaming system environments or configurations. The gamingsystem environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of any aspect of the disclosure. Moreover,the gaming system environment should not be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as program componentsor modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Aspectsof the present disclosure may be implemented with any number andorganization of components or modules. For example, aspects of thepresent disclosure are not limited to the specific computer-executableinstructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in thefigures and described herein. Alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include different computer-executable instructions orcomponents having more or less functionality than illustrated anddescribed herein.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in theembodiments of the present disclosure illustrated and described hereinis not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operationsmay be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, andembodiments of the present disclosure may include additional or feweroperations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplatedthat executing or performing a particular operation before,contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scopeof aspects of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the term “database” refers generally to anycollection of data including hierarchical databases, relationaldatabases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, objectoriented databases, and any other structured collection of records ordata that is stored in a computer system. The above examples areexemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way thedefinition and/or meaning of the term database. Examples of databasesinclude, but are not limited to only including, Oracle® Database, MySQL,IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.However, any database may be used that enables the systems and methodsdescribed herein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of OracleCorporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark ofInternational Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Microsoft isa registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.; andSybase is a registered trademark of Sybase, Dublin, Calif.)

When introducing elements of aspects of the present disclosure orembodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising,” including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

The present disclosure uses examples to disclose the best mode, and alsoto enable any person skilled in the art to practice the claimed subjectmatter, including making and using any devices or systems and performingany incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the present disclosureis defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur tothose skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do notdiffer from the literal language of the claims, or if they includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming machine comprising: a display deviceconfigured to display a bingo-based game; a multi-action switchincluding a body moveable along a fixed path, wherein the body of themulti-action switch is held in an initial position when the body of themulti-action switch is not being pressed, and wherein the fixed pathincludes a second position at a first distance from the initial positionand a third position at a second distance from the initial position, thesecond distance being greater than the first distance; a positiondetection device configured to detect whether the body of the switch isin the initial position, the second position, or the third positionalong the fixed path when the body of the multi-action switch is beingpressed; and a controller configured to control operations of the gamingmachine in accordance with the position of the multi-action switch, suchthat the gaming machine carries out a first operation and a secondoperation when the position detecting device detects that themulti-action switch has reached the third position, wherein the firstoperation is a bet operation and the second operation is a dauboperation or a daub and claim operation.
 2. A gaming machine inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the position detection device comprisesa plurality of sensors configured to detect when the multi-action switchhas reached the second position and the third position.
 3. A gamingmachine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a processorprogrammed to: determine that the multi-action switch has reached thesecond position; and in response to the determination that themulti-action switch has reached the second position, initiate thebingo-based game.
 4. A gaming machine in accordance with claim 1,further comprising a processor programmed to: provide a bingo card tothe player, the bingo card comprising a plurality of numbers; receive aball call, the ball call providing a ball with a particular number;based on a determination that the multi-action switch has reached thethird position, executing the first operation and the second operationthat includes the particular number from the received ball call.
 5. Agaming machine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising aprocessor programmed to: provide a bingo card to the player, the bingocard comprising a plurality of numbers; receive a ball call, the ballcall providing a ball with a particular number; and based on adetermination that the multi-action switch has reached the thirdposition, provide an indication that the player has won a reward and inresponse to the determination that the multi-action switch has reachedthe third position, executing the second operation that includes theparticular number from the received ball call and claim the reward.
 6. Agaming machine in accordance with claim 1, further comprising aprocessor programmed to: determine that the multi-action switch hasreached the third position, and in response to the determination thatthe multi-action switch has reached the third position execute two ormore of the following: initiate the bingo-based game; daub a portion ofa bingo card that includes a particular number from a received ballcall; and claim a reward for the bingo-based game.
 7. A method forenabling a player to execute a plurality of inputs through amulti-action switch on a gaming machine, the multi-action switchincluding a body moveable along a fixed path, the fixed path includingan initial position at which the body of the multi-action switch is heldwhen force is not applied to the body, a second position at a firstdistance along the fixed path from the initial position, and a thirdposition at a second distance along the fixed path from the initialposition, the second distance being greater than the first distance, themethod comprising: providing, by one or more processors, a bingo-basedgame; determining, by the one or more processors, that the body of themulti-action switch has reached the third position along the fixed pathwhen force is applied to the body of the multi-action switch; andexecuting, by the one or more processors, two or more inputs for thebingo-based game in response to the determination that the body of themulti-action switch has reached the third position.
 8. A method inaccordance with claim 7, further comprising: determining, by the one ormore processors, that the body of the multi-action switch has reachedthe third position along the fixed path when force is applied to thebody of the multi-action switch; and in response to determining that thebody of the multi-action switch has reached the third position,executing two or more of the following: initiating the bingo-based game;daubing a portion of a bingo card that includes a particular number froma received ball call; and claiming a reward for the bingo-based game. 9.A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein in response to thedetermination that the body of the multi-action switch has reached thethird position, initiating the bingo-based game with a wager.
 10. Amethod in accordance with claim 7, further comprising: determining, byone or more processors, that the body of the multi-action switch hasreached the third position along the fixed path when force is applied tothe body of the multi-action switch; and in response to thedetermination that the body of the multi-action switch has reached thethird position, daubing a portion of a bingo card that includes aparticular number from a received ball call, daubing a portion of abingo card that includes a particular number from a received ball call,and claiming a reward.
 11. A method in accordance with claim 7, furthercomprising: determining that the body of the multi-action switch hasreached a fourth position at a third distance along the fixed path fromthe initial position, the third distance being greater than the seconddistance, and in response to the determination that the body of themulti-action switch has reached the fourth position, claiming a rewardfor the bingo-based game.
 12. A method in accordance with claim 7,wherein in response to the determination that the body of themulti-action switch has reached the third position, executing, by theone or more processors, each of the following: placing a wager on thebingo-based game; daubing a portion of a bingo card that includes aparticular number from a received ball call; and claiming a reward forthe bingo-based game.
 13. A method in accordance with claim 7, furthercomprising: in response to determining that the body of the multi-actionswitch has reached the third position along the fixed path, providingone or more the following: optical feedback; audio feedback; and tactilefeedback.
 14. A multi-action switch that enables a player to execute aplurality of different inputs in a game of chance, the multi-actionswitch comprising: a button comprising a top surface, the buttonconfigured to be moveable down a fixed path by applying force to the topsurface of the button, the fixed path including an initial position atwhich the button is held when force is not applied to the top surface, asecond position at a first distance from the initial position, and athird position at a second distance from the initial position, thesecond distance being greater than the first distance; and a positiondetecting device configured to: detect when the button has reached thethird position along the fixed path when force is applied to the topsurface of the button; and in response to detecting the button hasreached the third position, executing a first operation and a secondoperation, wherein the first operation is a bet operation and the secondoperation is a daub operation or a daub and claim operation.
 15. Amulti-action switch in accordance with claim 14, wherein the game ofchance is a bingo-based game.
 16. A multi-action switch in accordancewith claim 15, wherein a wager is placed on the game of chance when theposition detecting device detects that the button has reached the secondposition.
 17. A multi-action switch in accordance with claim 15, whereina portion of a bingo card that includes a particular number from areceived ball call is daubed when the position detecting device detectsthat the button has reached the third position.
 18. A multi-actionswitch in accordance with claim 15, wherein a portion of a bingo cardthat includes a particular number from a received ball call is daubedand a reward is claimed when the position detecting device detects thatthe button has reached the third position.
 19. A multi-action switch inaccordance with claim 15, wherein when the position detecting devicedetects that the button has reached the second position and the thirdposition, a wager is placed on the bingo-based game, a portion of abingo card that includes a particular number from a received ball callis daubed, and a reward for the bingo-based game is claimed.
 20. Amulti-action switch in accordance with claim 15, wherein the fixed pathfurther comprises a fourth position at a third distance from the initialposition, the third distance being greater than the second distance; andwherein a reward is claimed when the position detecting device detectsthat the button has reached the fourth position.